The Family of Cascade Yarns
Hi everyone, Rachael here from the shop, ready to tell you a story about one of the best yarn companies out there. I have fallen in love with Cascade 220 Merino Superwash. It is the become backbone of my worsted weight knitting. So soft, but the best part is how it knits. Wool makes every stitch you knit pop, and play nice with each other. Your knitted garment will be soft, non-scratchy, machine washable and will last for years. Your sweater or afghan will look magnificent years down the road.
The heart of the company is family, owned and operated. They base their decisions on you, the knitter/crocheter. They work with their mills and create a high-caliber yarn at affordable prices. Cascade’s original 220 had turned into the backbone of the company and for many knitters/crocheters. Then they upped their game and brought in superwash Merino wool, which means the wool has been treated so that it will not felt and is not scratchy. Herds of Merino sheep are raised on the high open grasslands of Peru along with llamas and alpacas. They are raised and tended by local villagers and farmers, not by corporations. The animals are sheared and the villagers keep what they need and sell the excess to the mills.
This all started back in 1987, yarn choices were limited for the everyday knitter/crocheter, except for pricey imports from Italy, France, and England. The Dunbabins had experience in imports and working with a mill from England began a relationship for them. Wool yarn prices continued to rise and eliminated a large number of consumers. Then Peru came into the picture, many of the other yarn distributors advised him to turn to Italy for quality yarn, Mr. Dunbabin ignored them and turned his vision to a beautiful country that raised the wool in their own backyard. He found a mill in Peru to work with and started an ongoing relationship that benefited everyone. He was able to produce high-quality wool, llama and alpaca at a price point everyone could enjoy.
What I truly love about this company is their sense of family. It is still a family run business, mom & dad with their daughter-in-law and son. For such a large company, they have a small team that runs it seamlessly. The models for all their patterns are family of the people who work on the team. Daughters, moms, new babies and many more volunteers in order to keep cost affordable for us.
We carry several of their yarns, Cascade 220 Merino superwash being the workhorse of the bunch. We are expanding our colors in the 220 and will be participating in the Knitterati that is happening soon. Here is a link to check it out and come join us for the challenge.
Here are my color choices.
Family of Cascade
We carry Pacific, a 40% merino superwash, 60% acrylic blend. Super soft, lightweight yet warm enough.
Anchor Bay DK is a 50-50% merino wool and cotton blend, perfect for three season garments. Lightweight sweaters, children’s clothes, and all things baby.
North Shore DK is one of softest acrylics around. Machine wash and dry, this is a solid choice for children’s lightweight clothing and baby garments.
Cherub is a baby weight yarn that will produce beautiful clothing and light blankets.
Our Heritage Family comes in paints, prints, and waves; the silks come in tonals, solids, and prints. These are my favorites for doing large shawls such as Find Your Fady by Andra Mowery or Joji Locatelli’s Washed out
Come on in a take a new look at Cascade, let’s keep the mom and pop businesses going. Shop small, shop local and make new friends! There is nothing like a yarn community!
Catherine & Rachael
Creation Station Yarn Shop
Newton KS.
Learn a Craft and Create a Passion
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